---
pageType: source
id: source.2026-04-20
title: 2026-04-20
sourceType: local-file
sourcePath: /home/topher/.openclaw/workspace-crash-bot/memory/2026-04-20.md
ingestedAt: 2026-05-03T01:02:25.181Z
updatedAt: 2026-05-03T01:02:25.181Z
status: active
growth: seed
---

# 2026-04-20

## Source
- Type: `local-file`
- Path: `/home/topher/.openclaw/workspace-crash-bot/memory/2026-04-20.md`
- Bytes: 5125
- Updated: 2026-05-03T01:02:25.181Z

## Content
```text
# 2026-04-20 — Session Notes

## Model Mess (resolved)
- Removed minimax-m2.7 fallback from crash-bot — now primary, empty fallbacks
- GLM times out in Discord DM context (speed vs Thinking's async Telegram)
- Crash-bot on minimax-m2.7 primary, you control what happens next
- Config rule: always backup before editing openclaw.json

## ZFS Drive Prep
- Created projects/zfs-drive-prep.md as tracking file
- Confirmed 6×4TB + 3×3TB cold drives need testing (11 total listed, 2 skip CasaOS)
- Pool plan: 5×4TB raidz2 + 1 hot spare + 3×3TB raidz1
- sdb, sde tested (0 errors)
- sdc, sdd: CasaOS data drives — skip testing
- 8 cold drives need model/serial inventory
- Hot swap: not reliable on this desktop board — manual power cycle for cold drive testing

## Projects
- Whisper on Dell: containerize approach, safe path decided
- ComBadge: hardware not ordered

## 2026-04-20 01:46 UTC
- ZFS drive prep: 3 cold 4TB drives loaded (sdb, sde, sdf)
- SMART tests running in parallel (sdb long ~8.5hrs, sde short ✅, sdf long ~10.6hrs)
- badblocks -nvs running on sde (0 errors so far, ~16+ hrs to completion)
- sde SMART attrs clean: 0 reallocated, 0 pending, 0 uncorrectable, 8,943 power-on hours, 35°C
- sdf (ST4000VN008 IronWolf) SMART short also passed
- Power adapter issue resolved — all 3 drives now detected
- sde model limited: doesn't support long SMART test, ran short instead
- sdb has 89k power-on hours — needs close monitoring (old WD Red)
## Brewery PID Project — Major Session (2026-04-20 17:00-13:27 UTC)

### Architecture Decision (major shift from earlier)
- **ESPHome** preferred by Topher for easy HA integration (not Arduino custom firmware)
- **Per-PID architecture** (not central) — hot-swappable, no single point of failure, like-for-like replacement of original PIDs
- All 8 units identical hardware — hot/cold mode is software switch in ESPHome YAML
- Display: Surenoo NX4880E043 Nextion Edge (4.3" 480×800, ~$35-40)
- Controller: ESP32-S3-based (AITRIP Supermini, XIAO C3/S3, or WROOM-1U with U.FL)
- Both hot and cold sides use G3MB-202P SSR (120V AC coil switching)

### Key Hardware Decisions
- **Display:** Surenoo NX4880E043 Nextion Edge — 4.3" 480×800, 128MB flash, CTP, slim bezel, ~$35-40
- **Output driver:** G3MB-202P DIP-4 SSR (2A, 120-380V AC, ~$1.50) — both hot and cold sides
- **Steel box RF issue:** Use ESP32 with U.FL/IPEX connector + external antenna mounted outside enclosure
- **MAX31865:** Amazon B0GSYV2SM8 5-pack modules (~$19) — use module with headers, not bare IC
- **Controller options evaluated:**
  - AITRIP ESP32-S3 Supermini (5-pack ~$13, no antenna)
  - Seeed XIAO ESP32-C3 ($5.80/unit with external antenna, 8MB flash)
  - Seeed XIAO ESP32-S3 (3-pack ~$22-30, 8MB PSRAM + 8MB flash)
  - ESP32-S3-WROOM-1U-N8 from LCSC (~$5.50, U.FL built-in, for custom PCB)

### Per-Unit BOM (~$48-49)
- ESP32-S3 module: ~$5-6
- MAX31865 module: ~$3.80
- G3MB-202P: ~$1.50
- MOV (250V): ~$0.20
- Terminals, passives: ~$1.50
- Custom PCB: ~$2-3
- **PCB subtotal: ~$14-15**
- **+ NX4880E043 display: ~$37**
- **Per unit total: ~$51-52**

### 8-Unit System Total: ~$410-415

### Project Files Updated
- `projects/brewery-pid-replacement.md` — fully revised with new decisions
- `projects/brewery-pid-bom.md` — new file, per-unit PCB BOM checklist

### ESP32 RF/Steel Box Issue
- Topher raised valid concern: steel enclosure attenuates WiFi signal
- Solution: ESP32 with U.FL connector + external antenna outside the box
- XIAO C3 with patch antenna (~$5.80) is clean option for this
- XIAO S3 3-pack also option if already owned

### Still Open
- Nextion display still not found in Topher's lab — or order NX4880E043
- XIAO C3 vs S3 decision pending (C3 fine for ESPHome YAML work)
- Custom PCB design not started yet (EasyEDA)

### Related Context
- Brewing systems: PSB (off limits), so kept separate
- Topher teaches electronics, has EasyEDA PCB skills
- Surenoo JC4827W543 also still on table as alternative display

## 2026-04-20 20:42 UTC — End of Day Status

### ZFS Drive Prep — Current State
- sdb, sde, sdf in Dell Aurora-R3 for testing
- SMART: all 3 drives passed (sdb long ✅, sde short ✅, sdf extended ✅)
- badblocks -nvs in progress: sde running (~64%, 17+ hrs elapsed, zero errors)
- sde estimated completion: ~9-10 more hours (early 2026-04-21 UTC)
- After sde: sdb badblocks, then sdf badblocks
- All cold drives still need testing: 8 remaining (models/serials TBD)

### GPU Context (from memory)
- Topher found Quadro K600 (GK107 Kepler, 1GB DDR3) in Dell Aurora-R3
- K600 working with nvidia-driver-470 (570 doesn't support Kepler)
- K600 too weak for LLM inference — noted GTX 1070/RTX 3060 as better local AI GPU options
- Matt mentioned GTX 680MX (MacBook Pro) and GP102/Titan X as potential upgrades
- Topher found RTX 5070 12GB for $100 used — asked about it in crash-bot-public

### Drive SMART Notes
- sdb: 89k+ power-on hours — oldest drive, needs close monitoring even though SMART passed
- sde: MD4000GSA6472E, 8,943 hours — healthy, clean attrs
- sdf: ST4000VN008 IronWolf, 16,180 hours — healthy

```

## Notes
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## Related
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